A recent video showed British three-time gold medallist Charlotte Dujardin repeatedly flogging a horse during training, shocking equestrian athletes competing in the Paris Olympics. Animal abuse and welfare are important issues that have been brought to light by this controversy.
American rider Boyd Martin, taking part in his fourth Olympics, told The Associated Press,”Horse welfare is incredibly important, these wonderful animals mean so much.” He added. “Your teammate is an animal in this sport and what we saw was inexcusable.”
The Federation for Equestrian Sports (FEI) issued a formal warning to rider Carlos Parro for possibly causing “unnecessary discomfort” to his horse, Safira.
The FEI took action in response to images released by animal advocacy group PETA, which showed Parro using a forbidden manoeuvre known as “Rollkur,” which entails hyper-flexing the horse’s neck and impairing its breathing.
The incident didn’t happen during the Paris Olympics.
Meanwhile, the British rider Charlotte Dujardin withdrew from the Paris Olympics after a video showing her repeatedly beating a horse while guiding another rider went viral. The FEI is investigating the incident and she is temporarily barred from all events.
“We are fully committed to the welfare of horses,” the 33-year-old rider Tom McEwen said, “I do agree, the equestrian community was severely shocked. However, I think that all of us here will demonstrate this week just how fantastic the sport really is.”
The actions of Dujardin are deemed “completely unacceptable” by FEI eventing committee chief David O’Connor.
Former American star David O’Connor, who won individual eventing gold at the 2000 Games, is also the head of sport for the U.S. Equestrian Federation.
Dujardin’s conduct has been described by him as “completely unacceptable in every aspect”.